What to expect from India's biggest auto show

What to expect from India's biggest auto show

Rising from a slowdown continuing for the past several quarters, Indian automobile makers are set to launch a record number of vehicles at the 12th edition of the Auto Expo from February 5.

As many as 75 passenger cars, utility vehicles, two-wheelers and commercial vehicles are scheduled for introduction next month, a jump from the 47 vehicles showcased and launched at the 11th edition in January last year.

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Image: A model poses with a Jaguar XF in New Delhi.Photographs: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

What to expect from India's biggest auto show

Overall, 47 companies will participate in the expo this year, making it the largest auto show ever hosted on the subcontinent, with 23 makers of passenger cars and utility vehicles, 14 of two-wheelers, 10 of commercial vehicles and six of electric vehicles. Last year, 35 auto makers had participated.

What to expect from India's biggest auto show

Among those making their first appearance in the country are Datsun (the recently resurrected brand for emerging markets from Nissan), Italian bike maker Moto Morini, DSK Hyosung and Japan’s Isuzu Motors.

What to expect from India's biggest auto show

Indians will have their maiden tryst with Honda’s MPV Mobilio, Chrysler’s Grand Cherokee (the sports utility vehicle that heralds the brand’s entry into the country), Datsun’s MPV Go +, a compact SUV from Mercedes GLA and Korando C from the stable of Mahindra & Mahindra’s South Korean subsidiary Ssangyong.

What to expect from India's biggest auto show

One of the more interesting global launches is expected from Maruti Suzuki, which will introduce a new technology for automatic manual transmission (AMT) in the YL7 small car (expected to be named Celerio).

The technology would enable the driver to change gears without using the clutch. AMT, unlike automatic transmission variants, would not reduce fuel efficiency.

What to expect from India's biggest auto show

The Japanese auto maker is additionally likely to display the YL1 (a replacement for the SX4, the not-very-popular sedan), the SX4 crossover and a largish concept SUV (code-named iV4) at the Auto Expo.